<p>woohoo, mootmom - were you there representing your company’s fine line of uV detectors? :)</p>
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<p>Sorry, mel, but I can’t think of ANY men I know who would like a gun as a gift. Unless there is something about them I would rather not know.</p>
<p>Now a sword, that’s a cool idea. </p>
<p>LFWB get’s is grandfather’s when/if he gets command.</p>
<p><a href=“Ceremonial Military Swords”>Ceremonial Military Swords;
<p>For my husband’s 50th, I arranged for our best friends to fly up for a surprise weekend visit. The ironic twist is that we stopped at Whole Food to do some dinner shopping on the way home from the airport and he was there too, and surpised <em>us</em>! It was hilarious, and a great beginning to a fabulous weekend.</p>
<p>What a great idea, moominmama. I think I’ll suggest it to <em>my</em> H for my next big Bday - next year.</p>
<p>That’s why I emphasized my <em>alibi</em> for suggesting such a gift.</p>
<p>Well, perhaps a gun is more unique than desirable. But how about a gold-accented sowrd (thank you LFWB dad)? It would be a beutiful and harmless dining room decoration.</p>
<p>mommusic, by my inaccurate assessment of men in regards to accepting a prestigious gun as gift, you may tell that i’m surrounded by rednecks and hillbilies, right? 
Which I am (and what an educating experience it is!)</p>
<p>mel–or maybe you’re surrounded by “real” men and all my male friends are the timid, er, sensitive type. Um, intellectuals. That’s it. Pen mightier than the sword and all that. ;)</p>
<p>I just don’t get the interst in weaponry, of any type. Decorative or otherwise. Sorry, mel. I just don’t get it.</p>
<p>Another thought-- How about getting a bunch of his friends to write letters with memories, well wishes, memorobilia (old photos-- NOT weapons!) etc and put a scrapbook together. I did that for my parents 50th anniversary and they LOVED it.</p>
<p>If one is a loyal weapons’ fan he/she would say something like: “power blah blah blah, control blah blah. Blah blah blah top of the world blah blah adrenalin blah blah” To try to show off their weapon-savvy, which they think makes them more manful.</p>
<p>Speaking for myself (and since I’m not loyal enough and tend to simplify it): guns are “cool” because with a simple squeeze you get a thrilling “kaboom” + neat-looking Muzzle blast (up to 1 meter if you’re using 0.5-caliber Mark XIX) + a melon placed far, far away from you explodes (if you’re “good” enough)… To me I guess it’s an extension of childhood fascination with the mystery of fire and remotely controlled toys.</p>
<p>Swords are “cool” because you can pretend that you’re one of those spartans or other historical figures (Big smile–the green one with big white teeth, which I still can’t do). </p>
<p>For these reasons (and others of which I may not be aware,) the harm that could be afflicted by a weapon tends to be one of the last things I consider when thinking of weapons.</p>
<p>mommusic, that depends on what one’s goals are, and his/her environment. If one lives in a very primitive habitat (like “Name of a state”<— just a joke. another green smiley) it would be silly and wrong to attempt being “intellectual” and “sensitive.” Also, if one wants nothing in life but sex, food (not for the mind,) sleep and Jerry Springer, he/she would act accordingly regardless of their environment.</p>
<p>Picking up on jym’s suggestion of friends writing letters, if you are close to this guy: the best gift I ever gave was when my very close friend from childhood turned 50. We had known each other for 45 years. I bought a blank journal book and titled it “50 Memories from 50 Years.” I put a different memory on each page. Some poignant, some funny, some trivial, some significant. Memories all the way from age 4 to age 50. From when it was “just us two,” to memories that included our husbands. I left pages blank for future additions at future momentous birthday. She loved it and I loved doing it. The memories just flowed. When I reached a momentary impasse, I’d just put it aside and find that in a matter of a few minutes, more memories came flooding in.</p>
<p>Memories and fun times with friends are the best presents…</p>
<p>Stuff is just stuff.</p>
<p>Except for jewelry. ;)</p>
<p>ok, here goes. have been lurking on this site for a while(approx 4 mos) Was inspired by a girl in my home, used to be D1, but now just looks like her but is something from another planet and it doesn’t look like she is leaving any time soon!! SA appears to be the answer to my prayers or at least my sanity. I have never laughed so hard, EVER!! Not very computer savy, but since I don’t really sleep, virtual drinking might be kind of fun.</p>
<p>Hi 4Giggles! Welcome to the Alley, pull up a chair and imagine your wildest refreshment…Fredo the Barkeep is magical and has an endless supply of paper umberellas and fruit skewered on little plastic swords…a word of warning you may find virtual drinking even more addicting than the real world variety…In which case…(whisper softly and pointing to the booth in the shadows) you may want to join up with the noisy group in the back, the Charter Members of S.A.A…well perhaps not too anonymous ;)</p>
<p>4Giggles, wellcome! (I’m a non-drinker, so I’ll pass)</p>
<p>Only one thing leads to computer knowladge: trial-and-error! And you must burn down a minimum of two PCs and a laptop before you get “certified”.</p>
<p>SBmom, glad you found a good idea (I don’t get all this interest in jewelry ;)</p>
<p>Thanks! just got new laptop, makes it easier to hide from D1 and S1,2,and 3 for that matter! I will have a gimlet!</p>
<p>Welcome, 4Giggles. Just jump right on in. I’ve never had a gimlet…I always think “giblet” when someone orders one, and all I can think of are the disgusting turkey innards at Thanksgiving. IRL, I don’t drink, but here in SA, I love those fruity drinks with the little umbrellas.</p>
<p>Gimlet/giblet . . . too funny! That reminds me of a story I heard about Enrico’s bar in the North Beach area of San Francisco. A tourist walked in and ordered a “Calimari and soda” . . . and they gave it to him!</p>
<p>LOL, moominmama! (and just as disgusting as the giblets, if you ask me!!!)</p>
<p>Gimlets are yummy. I’ll have one too!</p>